Interpol’s Paul Banks: Performing with U2 was a lot of fun

Paul Banks, 32, is the singer and guitarist with New York band Interpol and is originally from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Bass player Carlos Dengler left the band shortly before the release of their latest record, Interpol. The band supported U2 on their 360 Degree Tour.

Musician Paul Banks of Interpol (Getty Images)

Why did Carlos leave?

I think he wanted to try some different things and felt it was mutually exclusive to go down another road in life and stay on this one, which is pretty reasonable if you want to pursue other dreams. There’s an argument that you really need to commit yourself to those other ideas.

Were you disappointed he didn’t want to stay?

Yeah, I was disappointed. But it wasn’t a dramatic event where we were blindsided by this news and didn’t see it coming. Like in any relationship, there are signs for months and years ahead of time that someone was not being entirely fulfilled.

He was a big part of the band. Did you worry about replacing him?

You can’t replace someone like Carlos – he’s a one-of-a-kind human being. The only person we discussed was Dave Pajo and it’s just like an apples or oranges sort of thing, there’s not really any comparison there. Here’s this guy who I listened to in high school who was a profound influence on me, being in a band called Slint, who turns out to be a super nice guy who can play the s*** out of a bass, so it’s just, like, wow, that’s really exciting.

You’ve already released a solo record and now a quarter of the original band has left. Is there a chance this fourth album will be Interpol’s last?

I mean, there’s a chance, yeah.

What was your experience of performing with U2?

A lot of fun. I like every rung of the live spectrum. I love playing in a club because literally you’re an arm’s length from the crowd and there’s the immediacy of it. And then when you play a huge arena with U2, that’s just exhilarating because there are 80,000 people there and it’s just mind-blowing. We love the music that we play live, so for me it’s like, put us on a stage anywhere and we’ll enjoy playing it. The strange notion of thousands and thousands of people who aren’t necessarily familiar with your music being there makes it even more exhilarating.

What influence has coming from England had on you?

My parents’ choices in music were an influence and Monty Python was always around. Being raised by Brits, there was definitely an influence. My parents would be aggravated if I didn’t acknowledge that.

Are you an Essex man?

I’ve heard of the alternate gender, the Essex girl. I don’t know what an Essex man is.

The male equivalent – according to the cliché. Lots of hair gel and fake tan.

I f***ing love it. It’s not far from the mark.

How important is New York to Interpol?

We’re as much a New York band as other New York bands. We formed there, we wrote all our records there, we’re from there, but so are The Strokes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio. There’s a grit to New York bands too, a certain angst built into music that comes out of New York City. I’m proud to be a New York band.

Do you get Christmas off from touring?

I’ll be in transit for Christmas and then we’re doing a show for New Year in Australia. It’s one of these travelling festival jobbies and there are some other really great bands on the line-up and the weather will be nice. I’m looking forward to it.

What makes a good New Year for you?

I usually gravitate to romantic situations on New Year. Even if that’s just grabbing a guitar and having a glass of milk. Actually, I never drink milk. I’m not sure why I said that.

Interpol’s Single Summer Well is released on December 6. Interpol tour Britain from November 24 to December 8, including December 6-8 at the O2 Academy Brixton. http://www.interpolnyc.com